Fresh, tangy and loaded with tons of fruit, this 4th of July fruit salad will be a favorite side dish at any summer cookout you bring it to!
Your search is over for the best summer fruit salad! The perfect fruit salad centerpiece is staring ya in the face.
Not only is this gem of a fruit salad absolutely perfect for any 4th of July gathering, but it’s easy and delicious enough that you’ll want it at every cookout you go to this summer.
Extra watermelon stars in my bowl, please.
This salad only calls for 8 basic ingredients and while I give fruit suggestions, it’s basically a blank canvas for any fruit you have on hand!
Pro tip: just don’t skip the watermelon stars – they make it SO festive and kids and adults alike can’t get enough!
This Fruit Salad features…
- Fresh watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries
- A tangy lime poppyseed dressing
- Minutes to make and perfect for a 4th of July cookout
Making the Fruit Salad
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Lime juice
- Granulated sugar
- Poppyseeds
- Cornstarch
- Basil
How To Cut Watermelon
Remove the skin from the watermelon and cut the watermelon into 1-inch thick slabs. Use a star cookie cutter to cut out star shapes for salad (save the watermelon scraps for pureeing into watermelon juice!).
Tips for Perfect Fruit Salad
- Get fresh basil – fresh basil adds an unmatchable fresh flavor to the fruit.
- Use cornstarch in dressing – I use just a touch of cornstarch in the dressing to thicken the texture so it clings to the fruit.
- Sweeten salad to taste – we typically like our salad a little more tangy, but you can add more or less sugar to taste.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on this salad.
- Use different fruit – this salad works great with a variety of fruit. Try fresh blackberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, pineapple, or mango.
- Sub mint – try fresh minced mint in place of the basil.
- Garnish with nuts – toasted almonds or pecans add a great crunch.
Storing Fruit Salad
This salad stores well in refrigerator up to 3 days. It actually tastes better if you can let it sit in the dressing a few hours so it soaks up all that wonderful flavor!
For best results, I recommend waiting to add the fresh basil until just before serving so it doesn’t turn brown.
I swear the fresh basil is the secret weapon in this fruit salad! It adds an incredible pop of herby flavor that pairs so well with the tangy lime and all that fresh fruit goodness. That and the watermelon stars bump up the cuteness level to a 10.
Trust me, this is the fruit salad you’re going to want at all your cookouts this summer! It’s obviously 4th of July-themed, but it will definitely be wanted more than just once!
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.
Watch this fruit salad made step-by-step on Google web stories.
More fruity salads to try next!
- Cherry Burrata Panzanella Salad
- Blueberry Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
- Prosciutto Strawberry Burrata Salad
4th of July Fruit Salad
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon, cut into star shapes
- 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon poppyseeds
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, minced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries. Set aside for a moment.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk lime juice, sugar, cornstarch, and poppyseeds together. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cooking until mixture is thickened.
- Pour lime dressing over fresh fruit and toss to coat. Refrigerate salad until ready to serve then toss in fresh basil. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe tips and photos on 5/31/24.
Kelly @ The Pretty Bee: Cooking + Creating says
What a beautiful salad! I love the way berries are naturally patriotic! 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly! And right?! The berries cover all the patriotic bases. 😉
Louisa [Living Lou] says
Love fresh basil in a salad. So funny, I was thinking that mint would go really nicely in this salad too and it sounds like you were thinking the same thing! Have you tried it with mint and basil?
Sarah says
Either one goes fabulously in this fruit salad, Louisa! I personally like mine with basil better, but I don’t think I’ve ever mixed the two before! Can you even imagine the fantastic flavors?? 😉
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I just love a good fruit salad, especially on hot summer days. So fun that you added in basil! Bet that gives it great flavor. Serve this with some plain greek yogurt and you’ve got the red, white and blue covered!
Sarah says
I LOVE your idea of adding greek yogurt to this salad, Nat! TOTALLY breakfast-worthy! 😉
Ashley says
Watermelon, strawberries and blueberries are my favorite! And I love that you have poppy seeds in this!
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
This fruit salad looks perfect and totally has me craving for a big bowl now
Sarah says
Thanks, Olivia! 🙂
Rachael | Spache the Spatula says
I love the poppyseed “sprinkles”! Also, watermelon + herbs is like my new favorite combo—yum!
Sarah says
Poppyseed sprinkles. Ha! Love that. 🙂 And omg, watermelon and herbs is so tasty! 🙂
Annie @Maebells says
Yummmm! I love that you didn’t add a ton of sugar. It always puzzles me when I see fruit salads with a cup or two of sugar added. Fruit is already so sweet! I love the addition of poppy seeds, too!
Sarah says
I see those kind of recipes for fruit salad ALL the time. I’m just like, really?! Sooo unnecessary when like you said, fruit is already plenty sweet on it’s own! 😉
Ami@naivecookcooks says
This salad looks so gorgeous and all these fresh fruits are making me hungry!!
Sarah says
Thank you Ami! 🙂
Danielle says
I love fruit salad, especially in the summer. I love how you added poppy seeds to it too! This would be so cute for a 4th of July party.
Sarah says
Thanks, Danielle! It’s perfect for any 4th of July festivities!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Love how healthy and colorful this is! Would love to try this with chia seeds as well for added protein 🙂
Sarah says
I love your idea of adding chia seeds to this salad, Medha! Must try that next time!
Joanne says
Totally agreed! Fruit is meant to taste like a party in your mouth..so why shouldn’t fruit SALADS. Love the sound of this!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Such a beautiful looking salad. I want to eat it through the screen.
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Dannii!
Rachel (teacher-chef) says
OH YEAH – came back to explore a bit and noticed this great looking salad as another way to use that basil, yum – I think I have my lunch planned!
Sarah says
I’m happy that you like what you see on my blog, Rachel! You are too too sweet! LMK if you try this salad!
Kelly says
This is such a gorgeous salad! Looks so refreshing and love the poppyseeds and basil in here too!
Sarah says
Thank you, Kelly!
Isadora @ she likes food says
Oh yum! I love this fruit salad! You def gotta have fruit salad to equal out all the chips and dip that I eat during BBQ season! I’m obsessed with watermelon lately and blueberries have always been my favorites so I need this fruit salad right now!!
Sarah says
It wouldn’t be summer without a fruit salad! You definitely need to try this salad this summer, Izzy—Sounds perf for you! 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Your pictures look gorgeous! Love that you added poppy seeds and basil!
Sarah says
Thank YOU for the inspiration for this fruit salad, Christin! 😉